(ANSA) - BELGRADE, MAY 26 - Poland is opposing German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's proposal to grant Ukraine associate membership in the European Union. "For a long time, Poland's position has been that of the so-called merit-based process," Ignacy Niemczycki, Polish State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated upon his arrival at the General Affairs Council. "We already have a process in place that has proven effective in the past, and we want to ensure that this is the path forward. I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about other options and mechanisms, but the end goal must be the same. This is our offer to every candidate country." (ANSA).